UPDATE FROM THE MILAGRO FAMILY:  Please note that the Milagro Tasting Room will not re-open as previously announced on Saturday, September 3rd, 2016. We are shooting for a tasting room re-opening date towards the end of September and will confirm that date once all necessary procedures are updated. The exact timing of this completion is out of our control. Please bear with us just a bit longer. The wait will be worth it, we promise!

East County News Service

August 1, 2016 (Ramona) - Milagro Farms Vineyard and Winery in Ramona announces it will reopen its tasting room on Saturday, September 3.  The tasting room has been closed for several months for a major remodel.

An e-mail to wine club members reads, “We have used the down time wisely and made some fantastic improvements here at Milagro.  We assure you that the new experience will not disappoint.  The outdoor area directly adjacent to the tasting room has been re-crafted for optimal relaxation and entertainment purposes, complete with bocce courts, a children's play structure, picnic tables, wooden swings and new patio furniture.  Inside we have added an essential board game library and lots more seating options.”

The new Milagro will include:

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

August 24, 2016 (San Diego) - The Padres are facing the winningest team in baseball and they’re trying to avoid being swept.  Not the best situation, but they do what they can.  Another ace Cubs pitcher was on the mound in Kyle Hendricks; he started against Paul Clemens for San Diego.

East County News Service

August 24, 2016 (La Mesa) - La Mesa Wine Works invites you to their grand opening celebration this Saturday, August 27^th, including live music by the Barnyard Casanovas band from 7 to 10 p.m. The La Mesa Wine Works is a co-op designed to showcase local wines; currently they are pouring vintages from both the award-winning San Pasqual and Wyatt Oaks wineries.

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

August 23, 2016 (San Diego) - The long ball killed the Padres last night and even though pitching phenom Jake Arrieta was on the mound tonight, they still tried their best.  Christian Friedrich started for San Diego.

By Miriam Raftery

August 23, 2016 (Santee) — Long-time Mayor Randy Voepel is running for the state Assembly and is not seeking reelection.  Two Council members are running to lead the city as Mayor: retired police detective John Minto real estate/mortgage professional Rob McNelis.  A special selection will be held to fill the Council seat of whoever wins the mayoral race, since these terms are not expired.

In addition, three candidates are running for the Council seat being vacated by Jack Dale, who is retiring.  Stephen Houlahan is president and co-founder of Save Mission Trails, which led the successful effort to stop the Quail Brush gas-fired power plant. He is also a registered nurse. Dustin Trotter, a carpenter, owns a door and trim company and has been an active community volunteer in organizations such as the Santee Santas and Santee Food Bank. Mason Herron is legislative director for Assemblyman Brian Jones and has also worked as a policy consultant.

By Jonathan Goetz

Scroll down for complete ballot statements from all candidates

August 23, 2016 (Lemon Grove)-- The Lemon Grove City Council is undergoing some major changes. Mayor Mary Sessom is stepping down. Council members Racquel Vasquez and George Gastil are running for the open mayoral seat, along with Teresa Rosiak, former president of Lemon Grove’s Chamber of Commerce.

Although the races are officially nonpartisan,Gastil has won endorsement from the County Democratic Party, an advantage in Lemon Grove, a heavily Democratic community.  Vasquez is also a registered Democrat,while Rosiak is a Republican. 

Both Gastil and Vasquez have their terms end this year, meaning they are giving up their seats by running for Mayor and there will be no costly special election to fill their seats. Five candidates are hoping to fill those slots.

Below are highlights on all Mayoral and Council candidates' qualifications, along with their full ballot statements submitted to the cities. (Note,  statements are within the public review period which ends August 29; statements may change on official ballots if any information is challenged.)

East County News Service

August 23, 2016 (Sacramento) - Proposition 61, the California Drug Price Relief Act, on the November ballot aims to limit price-gouging on drug prices by pharmaceutical companies.  Some drug prices have skyrocketed for no valid reason, only corporate greed. For instance, the cost of an Epi-pen, which delivers life-saving medication for people suffering severe allergic reactions, has recently gone up 800%.

Photo:A member of the California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team work on cleaning up debris on a property burned during the Potrero Fire.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications OfficeAug. 22, 2016 | 9:00 AM

After the Border Fire swept through rural East County in June, it left burned-out, ashen remains of six homes and 12 outbuildings. To help survivors clear debris, the County Office of Emergency Services turned to some veterans of disaster clean-up: the California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief organization.

East County News Service

August 19, 2016 (La Mesa) - You're invited to the largest Oktoberfest celebration west of the Mississippi:  La Mesa Oktoberfest from September 30 to October 2, 2016.

The free event is spread out over nearly six blocks in La Mesa Village and features hundreds of exhibitors, family friendly activities, German food, music, dancing, outfits, games and of course, beer.

Former SDSU star captures title at News Sentinel Open in Tennessee

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo courtesy Sdsuaztecfan on Wikipedia

August 22, 2016 (San Diego) - Former San Diego State men’s golf standout J.J. Spaun emerged victorious at the Web.com Tour’s News Sentinel Open presented by Pilot on Sunday after shooting a 5-under-par 66 during the final round at Fox Den Country Club in Knoxville, Tenn.

East County News Service

August 21, 2016 (Lemon Grove) – Mexican Consul General Rafael Laveaga will hold a Mobile Consulate at the Lemon Grove Library (3002 School Lane, Lemon Grove) on Saturday, August 27^th from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil: The Life, Legacy, And Love of My Son Michael Brown, by Lezley McSpadden (Regan Arts, New York, NY, 2013, 254 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

Equal rights, fair play, justice are like the air; we all have it, or none of us has it. That is the truth of it.

• Maya Angelou

August 21, 2016 (San Diego) - I feel honored and privileged to write this review of Lezley McSpadden’s book; Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil: The Life, Legacy, and Love of My Son Michael Brown. She and I actually have a lot in common, as we both were born in Missouri, me about 150 miles south of Ferguson in the bootheel, the small town of Charleston. Also, she bears a likeness to my sister Janet, also born in Charleston, mostly through their close set eyes and facial features.

East County News Service

August 21, 2016 (Julian) -- The 47^th Annual Julian Music Festival 2016 to benefit the California Wolf Center will take place Saturday, September 17 from 1 to 7 p.m.(Door opens at noon)  The setting for the festival will be the Menghini Winery located at 1150 Julian Orchards Drive in Julian.  Parking is free.  Tickets may be purchased on the website:  https://julianmusicfestival.com.

By Miriam Raftery

August 21, 2016 (Washington D.C.) – Jailing poor defendants because they can’t afford bail is unconstitutional and violates the 14^th Amendment right to equal protection, the U.S.  Justice Department argued in an amicus brief filed in federal court on Thursday.

Q & A with author of “Raising Ryland”

Source: Foothills United Methodist Church press release

August 21, 2016 (La Mesa) - “When the family dies I’m going to cut my hair so I can be a boy,” said Ryland Whittington when he was just four years old. His family was stunned.